The government of Bosnia and Herzegovina has decided to support the removal of all mines in populated areas by 2009. Today, the country is one of the world´s most affected. (04-MAR-05)
According to the Mine Action Centre of BH, Bosnia and Herzegovina has the largest mine contamination problem in South East Europe, and has one of the largest mine problems in the world.
Now Bosnia and Herzegovina has decided to support the realization of a BHMAC (Mine Action Centre) Demining Strategy by the year 2010, which calculates that by 2009 Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a country without danger of mines.
After the first domiciliary visit by the country’s government since the BHMAC was established, officials have now promised financial support for the realization of a Strategy for demining of area of the 1st category of priority by 2009. The other minefields will be permanently marked.
At the areas of the 1st category are the areas where around 100 000 people
lives. 2nd category is fields and arable land, and 3rd category of
minefields is areas of mountains and forests.
Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina has more than 670.000 mines and 650.000 unexploded ordnances (UXOs) on 10.000 locations. The contaminated area stretches over 2.000 square km, which is more than 4 % of the total territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The total number of mine and UXO victims since the beginning of 1996 until were 1.523. Of these, 440 were killed.
Removal of mines is one of the most important humanitarian principles. It is a precondition for reconstruction of the country, its natural resources and the return of the displaced persons and refugees.
This map shows areas with known contamination
of mines and enexploded ordnance.
All other areas are to be treated with caution.
